Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Bannocks o' barley

Robert Burns

“Bannocks o' barley” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 13 1843 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Book of Scottish Song, edited by Alexander Whitelaw, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Bannocks o' bear-meal, bannocks o' barley!

Here's to the Highlandman's bannocks o' barley!

Wha in a brulyie will first cry a parley?

Never the lads wi' the bannocks o' barley.

Bannocks o' bear-meal, bannocks o' barley!

Here's to the Highlandman's bannocks o' barley!

Wha, in his wae days, were loyal to Charlie?

Wha but the lads wi' the bannocks o' barley:

Bannocks o' bear-meal, &c.

Credits

Written by Robert Burns

Words by Robert Burns. Historical text published in The Book of Scottish Song (1843); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Book of Scottish Song (1843), edited by Alexander Whitelaw, “Bannocks o' barley”

Every contribution in this 1843 anthology predates modern copyright terms by more than a century; any contributor died at least 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide (life+70 terms expired no later than 2020).

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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